47.And suddenly while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared, and with him a large number of men armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people.

48.Now the traitor had arranged a sign with them saying, 'The one I kiss, he is the man. Arrest him.'

49.So he went up to Jesus at once and said, 'Greetings, Rabbi,' and kissed him.

50.Jesus said to him, 'My friend, do what you are here for.' Then they came forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

51.And suddenly, one of the followers of Jesus grasped his sword and drew it; he struck the high priest's servant and cut off his ear.

52.Jesus then said, 'Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

53.Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, who would promptly send more than twelve legions of angels to my defence?

54.But then, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this is the way it must be?'

55.It was at this time that Jesus said to the crowds, 'Am I a bandit, that you had to set out to capture me with swords and clubs? I sat teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid a hand on me.'

56.Now all this happened to fulfil the prophecies in scripture. Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away.

57.The men who had arrested Jesus led him off to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58.Peter followed him at a distance right to the high priest's palace, and he went in and sat down with the attendants to see what the end would be.

59.The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus, however false, on which they might have him executed.

60.But they could not find any, though several lying witnesses came forward. Eventually two came forward

61.and made a statement, 'This man said, "I have power to destroy the Temple of God and in three days build it up." '

62.The high priest then rose and said to him, 'Have you no answer to that? What is this evidence these men are bringing against you?'

63.But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, 'I put you on oath by the living God to tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.'

64.Jesus answered him, 'It is you who say it. But, I tell you that from this time onward you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.'

65.Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, 'He has blasphemed. What need of witnesses have we now? There! You have just heard the blasphemy.